As you read this, advance copies of the June Spurtle are already dotting the shelves of local shops like huge pepper grounds on the boiled eggs of a salad nicoise accidentally left overnight on the kitchen table. At least, I think they’re pepper grounds.

Page 1 contains contested spaces, controversial clusters, and one word too many; takes a deep breath before consultation; and rejoices in the gore-bellied posturing of an Edinburgh humbug long gone but not forgotten.

On the Urban Realm website last week, project architect Allan Murray described the new St James Quarter’s curved galleria as ‘no different to the baroque geometry of the New Town’.

Sculptors and architects are prone to such flights. The suggestion was summarily dismissed in the comments thread afterwards.

1906

EDINBURGH GUNMAKER’S DOWNFALL.

HOW CUSTOMERS WERE DEFRAUDED.

Alexander Hendry, an elderly man, was charged at a pleading diet of Edinburgh Sheriff Court today, with a number of thefts.

It may have slipped under your radar, but a low-key group exhibition in the Dundas Street Gallery basement certainly merits a visit.

The Aizle Art Collective is a group of Edinburgh-based artists whose association has more to do with group discussion, critique, and mutual motivation than shared practice or philosophy.

HOW AN EDINBURGH BOY LOST HIS TOE.

Sheriff Guy heard proof, in Edinburgh Sheriff Court to-day, in an action arising out of an accident to a little boy named Charles Hunter on 11th November, 1904.

CABLE-CAR ACCIDENT.

A sad accident occurred opposite Piershill Cemetery on Tuesday evening.

A boy named Andrew Cameron, nine years of age, and residing at 32 Greenside Row, was returning from Portobello along with a companion, when he rushed out behind a van and ran right in front of a cable car coming in the opposite direction.

The driver applied both brakes, but he was unable to stop the car, which knocked the lad down, and the wheels passed over one of his legs, severing it under the knee.

Broughton Street’s Stafford Centre has for over 30 years helped people experiencing mental health difficulties to build self-confidence and integrate with the community. Managed by Support in Mind Scotland, it’s a resource for anyone living in the Edinburgh area.

As it prepares to step up its activities over the next fortnight, the Stafford Centre now has two volunteer roles to fill. Local Spurtle readers could be an ideal fit.

The following press release was received from Police Scotland earlier today. We reprint it unedited and in full below.

EDINBURGH CHAUFFEUR’S SUNDAY MORNING RUN.

ALLEGED EXCESS OF THE LEGAL LIMIT.

John Wallace, 26 Carlton Terrace Lane, Edinburgh, was charged before Sheriff Guy at Edinburgh Sheriff Summary Court to-day with having, on Sunday morning, 13th August, between Norton Plaoe and Willowbrae Road, driven a motor car under his care at a speed exceeding 20 miles an hour, contrary to the Motor Act. He was also charged with having failed to produce his licence when asked by Police Inspector Brown.